In Football or Life – Never Give Up!
Amongst colleges and universities there are many intense sports rivalries – none more intense than between Notre Dame and USC (University of Southern California) in football. Since both schools have been dominant in their own regions, it’s always exciting when they play each other.
One particular game can teach us a major life lesson. In 1974 USC was ranked #6 in the nation and Notre Dame was #5. “Fans” (short for fanatics) crammed the 100,000 seat Rose Bowl in Pasadena to see this spectacle on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The mood in the stands was electric – crowds cheering; bands playing; smiling fans joking; and tension filled the air.
Upon the kickoff, Notre Dame scored quickly and often. USC had thought they were plenty good enough to win, but all they could muster was a weak touchdown just before halftime. The Irish couldn’t do anything wrong! At the end of the first half, the score was lopsided as both teams went to their locker rooms to recover and regroup.
Notre Dame 24
USC 6
The Trojan fans were dejected! They just couldn’t sit around and watch it any more. They didn’t understand that “Nothing is less important than the score at halftime.” So during the halftime show, they left the stadium by the thousands, creating a traffic jam as fans ran to get their cars out of the parking lots. The USC fans were demoralized, while the Irish were jubilant!
Yes, the USC fanatics gave up, but their team didn’t! They had used halftime to consider their mistakes and make changes. These losers changed and became winners!
To begin the second half, Notre Dame kicked the ball to Anthony Davis of USC. He ran the ball back for a touchdown. At the end of the game the score was radically different.
Notre Dame 24
USC 55
Review Your Life
When considering your life, you may think you’re good enough or not be happy with regrets from terrible mistakes. Here’s Good News! You can now enter into the second half of your life confidently and become a real winner! Life can be completely different! It’s not too late to change! The Trojans had a coach and playbook to help them. So do you! His name is Jesus and the playbook is the Bible!
Many years ago, a real person, Jesus, God’s son, suffered and died for all the wrong you ever did. He accepted all your sins, paying the supreme price of death. This was done so you can approach God directly anytime for help. Yes, He gave you direct access to God! All you need to do is give your heart to Jesus and turn away from your sins by praying this from your heart:
Dear God I believe Jesus is truly Your Son and He died for my sins. He conquered sin and came back to life. I’m truly sorry for all I’ve ever done wrong and ask for Your forgiveness. I accept Jesus into my life right now to lead and guide me. Thank you for saving Me! Amen!
Now, no matter your age or who you are by trusting in Jesus, you have a NEW life. Go find a church that teaches the word of God is 100% true. They’ll help you grow into the person you’d like to be.
Remember what Southern Cal taught us; it’s not how you begin or what you’ve done up to now, but how it ends and what you’ll do with the new life God has given you!
photo credit: Falconer/National Archives via ping news
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